In Summary:

Muses | Martine Bilodeau
Martine Bilodeau’s sixteen oil paintings on canvas reflect on young girls’ self-perception influenced by societal standards, emphasizing the need for girls to recognize their worth and embrace their inner muse.

Portraits | Colette Balcaen
Colette Balcaen’s textile project comprises sixteen no-sew quilted portraits of renowned Canadian female authors, reflecting the emotional impact of their works on her Franco-Manitoban identity and integrating quotations to connect viewers with the authors’ diverse experiences.

Woodland Grassland Wonderland | Earl Sinajon
Earl Sinajon’s ten acrylic paintings highlight the joy and significance of Manitoba’s boreal forests, prairie woodlands, and grasslands through daily interactions with the changing seasons.

Larsanity | Lars Stoltz
Lars Stoltz’s exhibition features ten hot-knife on cedar pieces, 32″48″ each, showcasing iconic characters from horror films signed by the actors and new pieces depicting Indigenous spirits.

Walking in Iceland | Nichol Marsch
Nichol Marsch’s twelve matte rag print photographs from her “Walking in Iceland” series explores identity, self-reflection, and personal healing through images taken during her residency in Iceland.

Martine Bilodeau

Medium and number of works: Original Oil on Canvas, 16

Dimensions: 28″x 34″

Description:

In her “Muses” series of oil paintings on canvas, Martine Bilodeau explores how young girls’ self-perception has been shaped by advertisements and societal expectations. These influences often depicted girls as objects to be controlled, rather than celebrated individuals. Bilodeau advocates for change, urging girls to recognize their intrinsic worth and embrace their inner muse.

Bilodeau grew up in a rural area of Quebec, on 300 acres of forest. Her parents had limited formal education, casting uncertainty on her future. Her family was seen as outsiders due to their remote location. Moving to the city, she felt a similar alienation from her rural background. She found solace in daydreaming, escaping the restrictions placed on her.

Her journey led her from Germany to Vancouver and into a 25-year film industry career—an unlikely dream during her youth. She established homes on the West Coast and in Mexico, where she now creates art. Her journey reflects her resolve to defy expectations and succeed.

Portraits | Colette Balcaen

Medium and number of works: Textile, 16 

Dimensions: 28 in x 34

Description:

Portraits feature sixteen portraits of prominent Canadian authors, all influential in Canadian literature. These authors’ books resonate with Colette’s cultural identity and heritage. Their experiences as women and the emotions they convey inspired Colette to create artworks honouring them. Historically, textiles have been linked to women’s work and fashion, which drew Colette to the no-sew quilting method. She selected fabrics based on their textures, colours, and emotional responses to the authors’ writings. Her choices, described as fragile yet resilient, raw or refined, vibrant or subdued, reflect her interpretation of the messages conveyed.

Larsanity | Lars Stoltz

Medium and number of works: Hotknife on Cedar, 10

Dimensions: 32”x40”

Description:

This exhibition showcases a uniquely Canadian style of artistic talent. Lars Stolz, a professional hot-knife artist, presents a personal collection featuring numerous works, each measuring 32″ x 40″. Stolz is currently developing a new series that depicts Indigenous spirits in art, including a spirit eagle, a world turtle, and a mythological Cree spirit.  

• January 2026 – Pembina Hills Arts Council
• February 2026 – Pembina Hills Arts Council
• March 2026 – Watson Art Centre, Dauphin
• April 2026 – University College of the North (UCN), Thompson
• May 2026 – University College of the North (UCN), Thompson
• June 2026 – NorVA Centre, Flin Flon
• October 2026 – Burrows Trails Arts Council

The Shores, Nichol Marsch

Mini Prints, Nichol Marsch